Over the past twenty five years in New Zealand, the awareness of osteopathic treatment for babies has increased, however we are still often asked when to seek treatment for a baby. We also often see older children who could have benefited from treatment as a baby. We are keen that all babies and children who need help, receive it in a timely fashion.

This article is to inform parents when to seek osteopathic treatment for their baby and what to look for in an osteopath.

​A baby will often communicate there is a problem by being unsettled, irritable or wakeful.​Symptoms in a newborn baby to be aware of are:

colic

excessive wind

continuous crying

difficulty feeding or a preference to feed from one breast

sticky eyes

sleeping difficulties

stiffness of the neck muscles

favouring the head to one side

a misshapen head

tongue tie or jaw restriction

Registered Osteopath Melanie Young treating a young baby

What education do Osteopaths have?

Osteopaths train for forty hours per week for five years full-time at university and are required to competently pass well over one hundred exams and undergo clinical competency training and exams.

Osteopaths are government regulated and registered with the Osteopathic Council of New Zealand and must partake in ongoing professional education each year. We are also ACC treatment providers.

Osteopaths who treat babies and young children ought to have done extra post graduate study in addition to their undergraduate paediatric study.​

Why would a newborn baby have anything wrong with them that is needing help by an osteopath?A baby's passage through the birth canal is usually a difficult process however nature ensures that the bones of the skull are pliable enough to overlap to enable this to happen. Sometimes the bones do not return to their normal positions after delivery. This can happen if the labour is unusually long or fast, if there is a large baby passing through a small pelvis, if a baby has a large head or if intervention is necessary for example a forceps delivery or ventouse extraction. A baby may suffer a cranial base, neck, shoulder or back strain during the birth process. Pre-term babies may have strain from being out of the uterus too early and there is also likely to be alterations in nervous system function.

A Caesarian birth may involve trauma to the baby who is stuck in the mother's pelvis. Alternatively, problems can occur in utero if there is insufficient amniotic fluid.

Very often your midwife or lead maternity carer will refer you and your baby to see an osteopath for assessment and treatment, particularly if the birth has been difficult. We also work with Lactation consultants to help with feeding issues. This can include jaw and cranial base problems that may be affecting the baby's ability to latch, or to treat the tongue and surrounding structures in cases where a posterior tongue tie is affecting baby's function.

How soon should my baby see an Osteopath?If there is nothing particularly troublesome going on for your baby then we recommend two weeks after the birth is a good time to have made an appointment as that gives you time to feel settled at home and also figure out how to get out of the house and travel with a new baby.If the birth has been difficult or your baby is very upset and won't settle, then we recommend bringing them in to see a cranial osteopath as soon as possible.​What does the assessment and treatment look like?First a medical history of the mother and baby is taken relating to the pregnancy and birth and any concerns you may have. Then your baby is gently assessed from their feet up to their head. Findings and treatment process are explained and then treatment will take place with your consent.The treatment looks calming and is very gentle for your baby. If necessary we can treat your baby while they are being breast fed or sucking on a finger to help soothe them. Osteopaths use their hands to gently help the baby undo strains in the fascia (the connective tissues of the body), to help restore better alignment and function. We are also able to assist the autonomic nervous system of the body, calming the sympathetic and boosting the parasympathetic nervous system. This is very relaxing and helps the digestion to settle and ideally the whole body to be in self healing mode. Please note cranial osteopathy is not just to do with the head, any tissue in the body can be treated with this gentle approach. Our clients find it is surprisingly effective.

Afterwards your baby may be more hungry than usual and be a bit unsettled or sleep for longer periods as their body works with the treatment to undo strains and find better alignment and health.

Ideally all pregnant mums would be assessed and treated at around 35 weeks pregnant to help balance up the pelvis and ready the connective tissues of the body for birth.Research showshttp://jaoa.org/article.aspx?articleid=2092759) that this results in a better birth with fewer interventions. This also means post birth we can see you for a one hour 'Mother and baby' check up together.

Thank you to the parents who have given us permission to use a photo of their baby.For more information please see our website www.cityosteopaths.co.nzFor an appointment or if you have specific questions, one of our osteopaths can call you back on 04 4991439

Osteopaths love to help women through the process of fertility, pregnancy and birth

One of the most unique times in a woman’s life, pregnancy is quite a special state. Fortunately, many women have an easy, straightforward experience, but for those who don’t, osteopathic treatment can be very effective at easing discomfort and making this unique time enjoyable - the way it should be.

In an ideal world, every woman who is planning to become pregnant would have an osteopathic assessment and treatment in preparation for the journey ahead. This is particularly important if she has any musculoskeletal issues, be it lower back pain, neck and shoulders tension or pain, bad posture, or had a severe injury in the past (as for example, a past unresolved ankle sprain can alter walking patterns even slightly which may lead to tricky pelvic and spinal dysfunctions or restrictions that can interfere with the necessary postural adaptations in pregnancy and even labour). ​​

Pain can crop up in pregnancy as your body is trying to adapt to major postural changes

​While particular attention should be directed towards the pelvis, osteopaths try to make sure the whole body is able to adapt efficiently to the incredible changes that happen on many levels during pregnancy. Some things we focus on pre-conception are improving blood flow and lymphatic circulation in the pelvis and abdomen. This is so important these days when most people spend hours sitting at their desks or in vehicles. Balancing the autonomic nervous system (which usually means reducing the effects of stress by calming the sympathetic nervous system) is another area that often needs help and can make for a very different experience once a woman becomes pregnant, for both herself and the baby.

While sorting out dysfunctions that can be dealt with pre-conception is ideal, treatment in pregnancy is very beneficial and often needed. Pregnancy is a very dynamic state where the body undergoes some profound changes in a relatively short space of time.

​​I will touch on a few of those below and mention briefly what osteopaths can do to help “support the change” or reduce discomfort if the changes are not happening as smoothly as they should:

1) Postural/mechanical changes: as the body’s centre of gravity shifts for obvious reasons, the posture changes dramatically. It is of vital importance to ensure that there are no major restrictions so the structure is able to adapt to new demands. One very important aspect is to ensure normal mobility of the sacrum so that it can move during labour thus making it easier for the baby to pass through the birth canal. But it’s not just about the pelvis. Chronic sitting in desk workers often leads to tension and sometimes constant pain in the shoulders/neck or between the shoulder blades. Not only is this uncomfortable and stressful, restrictions there would prevent a woman from achieving a deep squat with good form - which is one of the most useful exercises in pregnancy as well as a great position during labour that helps the baby descend. Having a mobile thoracic spine and ribcage also means you can breathe more efficiently getting more oxygen for yourself and the developing baby, have more energy and a clearer head!

Gentle Osteopathic treatment lying on the side to be most comfortable and safe.

With relaxin at play the ligaments soften and help the body adapt. Some osteopaths consider the increased secretion of relaxin a wonderful opportunity to work with old strain patterns as everything becomes so much more pliable, responsive and likely to change. However, sometimes this increased softening can contribute to strains and pains, especially in the pelvis, either at the back (sacroiliac joints) or in front (pubic symphysis). Having naturally looser joints (hypermobility) can make this more likely. In this situation gentle osteopathic techniques to balance the tension in the pelvic ligaments to allow the bones to find their natural position is very effective in most cases. Increased lower back curve (“swayback”) can lead to compression of the joints and soft tissues in the back and be quite uncomfortable but is also very amenable to osteopathic decompressive treatment.

It is important to realise that posture continues to change even after delivery - with new demands on the body such as feeding and carrying the baby, nappy changing etc. Gentle exercise such as yoga can help and osteopathic treatment (especially what we communicate to the joint position sensors) can be a useful adjunct, especially early on after giving birth when you should rest as much as possible (as a general rule, 6 weeks of no strenuous exercise after delivery).

Feeding and carrying a baby for hours a day can be very tiring and hard work. We understand this and can help your body manage the stresses and strains.

2) In pregnancy there is a dramatic increase in the circulating blood volume. The expanding uterus may make venous drainage less efficient which can lead to congestive issues such as varicose veins in legs, vulval varicosities or haemorrhoids. Generalised fluid retention can also cause ankle swelling or carpal tunnel syndrome. Gentle rhythmic osteopathic techniques can assist drainage and reduce the discomfort of swelling.

​3) Changes in the digestive system: during pregnancy, constipation is a common issue and while the importance of a healthy diet (including adequate water intake) and regular movement such as walking, for example, cannot be underestimated, gentle manual treatment that helps balance the nerve supply to the gut can help too. With heartburn being another common problem, easing the pressure on the diaphragm and giving the internal organs more space by gently decompressing the spine, freeing up the lower ribcage and thoracic spine where the diaphragm attaches can make a significant difference.

Osteopaths use their hands to diagnose and treat. Gently sorting out strains so your body can heal.

In summary, the aim of osteopathic treatment in pregnancy is to support and assist the expectant mother’s body in all the changes and adaptations it needs to go through to make the pregnancy and the delivery as easy as possible. It also creates the best conditions for the developing baby and the baby's passage through the birth canal - this is the ultimate preventative care!​Our patients often describe a feeling of very deep relaxation during and after treatment, however there’s much more to it than just feeling nice. The more relaxed and well balanced you are, the more the powerful self healing “programme” inside your body is able to function optimally and that is very good for mums and their babies.​

​Aydan HajiyevaHonours Diploma in General Medicine, DO M.Ost. Reg. Osteopath MONZAydan has an Integrated Master’s Degree course from the European School of Osteopathy (UK).Having previously completed six years medical doctor training, she really appreciates the holistic nature of the osteopathic approach. She has been exposed to a variety of treatment approaches at university, including classical, cranial and visceral osteopathy and has undertaken post graduate education, including biodynamics of osteopathy, primitive reflexes and pregnancy care, which have helped her develop her vision of osteopathy. Aydan regards osteopathy as a philosophy allowing her to create a positive change in a patient, by facilitating the expression of the inherent wisdom of the body.www.cityosteopaths.co.nz​Phone 04 4991439

Over the years we have been given wonderful testimonials by many of our patients. As of October 2016 the Osteopathic Council of New Zealand has stated that Registered Osteopaths should no longer display testimonials. In order to comply with this we have removed them from our osteopaths page. Our practice treats a wide range of unique conditions for patients which the testimonials reflect. We won't be adding any new ones but here they are for reference as they may be helpful to people in need.

​All of these testimonials are from actual patients and are verifiable.​"I would highly recommend City Osteopaths, they are professional, efficient and yet still always make you feel like you are the most important person they are seeing that day.

I have Fibromyalgia which means there are regular issues I need to deal with on a day to day basis. City Osteopaths have helped me combat everything from a painful jaw to a shortened hamstring to putting my upper back out – even headaches. I have been given the tools to be able to deal with a lot of the body issues I get myself now. I highly recommend City Osteopaths." - AW, Wellington

"My son had an accident which resulted in his front tooth being knocked forward and his top jawbone protruding through his gum. The dentist was going to cut the bone out. I went to City Osteopaths and after just one visit to Melanie, who is a cranial osteopath, the bone began to re-align into place. Within a week it was completely healed and the bone could not be seen at all. His behaviour, which had been affected badly due to headaches since the accident, also quickly came right after the treatment. I would highly recommend seeing an Osteopath to heal your ailments".﻿ - Mother of a ten year old boy, Wellington

"I have been treated by Melanie since April this year following an injury to my knee which was severely limiting what I could do. The injury also compounded problems with my back and neck. I had regular treatments with Melanie and several acupuncture sessions with Janine to add support to my healing process.This is one of the real benefits of coming to an integrated healthcare provider which practices an ethos of genuine care and support to people to do their healing. So I'm healing well and hugely grateful to be moving with increasing ease and confidence". - Vicki

"I have had long term back and shoulder pain. This has been totally fixed by my osteopath Sebastian in the last three weeks. A great change to my life and lifestyle. Recommend the practice (City Osteopaths) to anyone." T.Lynch﻿

"Finally, thanks to my osteopath I am pain-free after 8 months of pain and various tests and a mis-diagnosis by my GP and specialists. I was getting desperate with not knowing what was causing my pain. The GP had pretty much given up on me as he had explored all the avenues he could think of. A friend recommended that I try her osteopath, who she described as "wonderful". I was a bit sceptical but thought I had nothing to lose and no-one else seemed to have any ideas about how I could investigate further. Within a couple of appointments I was feeling the benefit of the treatment - which was non-invasive and relaxing - and the improvement has continued with each appointment so that I am now pain-free. From talking to me the osteopath quickly identified the cause of the problem and was then able to treat it. 2010 is the year I will remember as "my year of pain" but that is now just a memory, thanks to the osteopath.I would recommend an osteopath for any mysterious aches and pains you have which your GP cannot identify or treat successfully. It certainly worked for me". - J McDougall

"Lara has a lovely, calm demeanour that allowed me to relax when she was working her magic on me. I had never been to an osteopath before but thought I'd give her a go after I found a GP's advice for my sore tailbone was not helpful. Lara's handy work and exercises she gave to do at home worked wonders and she has also been very effective with treating a sharp stabbing pain near my hip. Lara helped me to understand the reason for my pain, which really eased my mind". - N. Harris

"I had constant sinus issues and headaches from the earlier ﻿stages in my pregnancy which I hadn't ever had before. I also had lower back pain. After visiting Melanie twice at five﻿ months pregnant, everything cleared up and my head, back and sinus have been fine during the pregnancy since. Would recommend this practice to anyone."﻿﻿ - L.Snowdon

"Excellent work from City Osteopaths to resolve the ear pain and discomfort from a nasal fracture that was left to heal by itself after a visit to the doctor. I would recommend that everyone visits and osteopath for an annual checkup, these people can work wonders with things that you never knew needed healing." - A Google User

"Since being treated by Aydan for an ongoing compressed leg injury, my lifestyle has dramatically improved – subtle methods of therapy have helped me regain my ability to function at work, and even walk properly again. Whilst my treatment is still ongoing, I have regained my confidence and feel positive moving forward. I would happily recommend City Osteopaths to anyone experiencing physical difficulty, the staff give you 110% of their time and focus, dedicated to your eventual full recovery.” ﻿ - K.Wood

"I have been having seeing Sebastian for the last few months, after suffering from neck, shoulder pain and stiffness and lower back stiffness and discomfort. Most of the pain and stiffness I was experiencing has disappeared and my overall posture has improved significantly. Sebastian has also recommended targeted exercises and magnesium and vitamin B all to assist with my overall recovery".M. Mallet

"For months I suffered lower back pain, specially when I played the piano - I couldn't work out what was wrong with my posture, but I began to think I'd have to stop playing. When I went to Melanie with the problem, I could hardly believe it when, with just gentle touching, she somehow magicked the pain away! It wasn't even a question of it gradually getting better, it just went. Extraordinary and wonderful". - L. Cox

As an athlete, my body needs to operate at 100%. The treatment I get from Sebastian at City Osteopaths is second to none. He gets me back into shape quicker so I perform at my best. I would highly recommend Sebastian to any prospective clients wanting to get back to their best" April 2015 Feedback form

"I have been seeing Sebastian, and I was a little skeptical initially. However he has helped mobilise my back and pelvis to a point I have never had so much movement in my life. He has been so kind and supportive in every way possible and made me feel comfortable at all times. I have urged so many others to book in and see him". Sarah, Wellington

"I highly recommend City Osteopaths, I've suffered from migraines for the last 8 years and by chance was shown a video that Osteopath Chris posted about the connection between posture/neck/back tension and migraines. The knowledge and skill that Chris has is amazing and I haven't had a migraine since I've been working with City Osteopaths. Thank you!"

It is difficult to find anyone who has never had an injury of some sort. Heavy lifting strains, falls, car or bike accidents, surgery (including teeth extractions!), birth trauma for both the mother and baby, even emotional traumas... The list goes on.

Osteopathic treatment can help with most injuries but there is more to it than meets the eye. Osteopaths are mediators in enabling your body to heal better, faster and more completely. And to do so, it is important to make sure the pre-injury balance has been restored.

The body is a system of wondrous complexity and the trillions of cells that make it up are working relentlessly to maintain a constant state of dynamic equilibrium. The key word here is dynamic meaning fluctuations in both directions may and do happen all the time, but in health the balance is restored quickly and easily. How far you can deviate before reaching “a point of no return” depends on many factors, notably how big a force or stressor was applied to or sustained by the body and also how large the body’s functional reserve is. A perfectly healthy body can deal with most stressors effectively. A system weakened by chronic stress, poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, suboptimal posture, prolonged illness, as well as the burden of previous unresolved injuries and dysfunctions, may not be as efficient at restoring balance on its own. And if the trauma was great enough, even a healthy body has to incorporate the forces of the trauma into its pattern of functioning, and this is how the baseline efficiency of the body physiology becomes compromised. As a consequence, both the injured area and the whole body become more vulnerable to future strains.

Most people will agree that injuring their back, knee or ankle has forced them to move differently in an attempt to lessen the pain. In severe trauma, it may go even deeper than that and affect the internal workings of the body, as the cells have to include the added force into their function. Here is where an osteopath can help your body release the forces imposed on it, using very gentle techniques applied with great precision. Removing the added strain on your system means that you do not have to find ways of working around it by developing compensations both in the area and the rest of your body, and it also ensures that a quicker and more complete healing can now take place. Naturally, the sooner you seek treatment after an injury the better but it is always gratifying to observe a good response even in case of an old injury with layers of ensuing compensations.

The body physiology is seeking balance at all times and by synchronising with that process and encouraging it, an osteopath can bring you closer to the perfect balance that is Health. ​

When you would like to feel in perfect balance, give us a call on 4991439 to make an appointment with one of our wonderful osteopaths.www.cityosteopaths.co.nz